Presenting the cheque to the British Legion

Presenting the Cheque to Howard ,Charlie and William for the Little Hearts Matter charity

Sunday 8th August over the finishing line at Lands End. Champagne reception!

Saturday 7th Aug Bissoe

After leaving St Columb on to BissoeA welcome party at Bissoe Bike Chain Cafe laid on by liz. Saturday 7th Aug

The final few days photos

Welcome party at St Columb and a lovely tea laid on by Sally (Jerry`s sister)

Day 12 - The Final Day

The last and final day of the bike ride, Sunday 08 August, and guess what – it rained as Joe cycled from his grand-parents house near Bissoe to the cycle café. The forecast was for the rain to clear and to brighten up during the day, which was what we needed as a BBQ was planned for later in the in the day. On arrival at cycle club, a group of riders met Joe and they all tucked in to a huge complimentary breakfast provided by Liz and her great tem of assistants. At 10:30, having all been fed and watered, the cyclists all set-off for Lands End, the last remaining 32 miles of the End-to-End ride. The planned arrival time at Lands End was 13:30. Jerry travelled west in the car and met the guys at Mounts Bay, The weather was fantastic: it was the best weather we had seen, as it had rained everyday since departing John O Groats. Many friends, family and supporters had persuaded Jerry to join Joe on his bike for the final run into Lands End as everyone felt having completed 700 hundred miles in 9 days and supported Joe for his last remaining 2 days from Bristol to the finishing line it was appropriate to cross the line with Joe. Jerry prepared his bike 1 mile from the line, and struggled to cycle on the flat outside the “First and Last” pub. At 13:15 Joe and his escort of fellow cyclists arrived at Sennen, 1 mile from the finish line. Joe stayed behind with his dad whilst the escort continued to Lands End. At the required time it was a gentle ride, just Joe and Jerry, who crossed the line at 13:32, into a shower of champagne, load applause, cheering and shouting. A large crowd of friends and family had made the journey to the most westerly point of the UK mainland to welcome Joe and Jerry. Our family had prepared drinks and cake for all those who made it to Lands End. It was a great atmosphere, the sun was shining, and the wind was hardly blowing – a huge contrast to what we had experienced during the previous 12 days. Joe and Jerry presented our chosen charities with cheques for just over £1600 each. A huge thank you to everyone who had sponsored us during the ride. It is the intention for Jerry to return to Bristol at some time in the future and complete the last 3 remaining days of the challenge. Photos will b posted very soon.

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The One & All Cycle Club, ready to depart with Joe to Lands End on the Final 32 miles, great turnout - fantastic

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The tuff Devon HillsCruising down the Devon Roads - good average speed

Refuel stop at Bickleigh

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Phil and joe heading west down the old A30 near BridgewaterPhil and Joe prepare to leave Bristol for Oakhampton

Joe tucking into his welldeserved dinner after a long ride of 88 miles

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OUCH, this hurts

At the Severn Bridge, only 18 milkes to go to the B&B (and then the locals sent us 6 miles the wrong way!!)

Joe looking towards the West Country

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This knee is killing me!!Ice is just PERFECT!!!!

Rest stop by the side of the road

Photo's sorry for the delay

Enjoying a rest in a garden centre near HerefordJoe, enjoying his ice cream at the garden centre

DAY 11 UPDATE

Jerry, Joe, Julie and Phil had a good nights rest at Oakhampton, Devon.
After a good breakfast Joe and Phil made their exit from Oakhampton in the rain again!
Julie and Jerry supported them in the car feeding them bananas, energy bars and high energy drinks. The wind was from the West throughout the day, therefore it made the riding tiring and much harder. Phil did a fantastic job of making a hole in the wind for Joe to slipstream behind.
Yesterday's mileage was 97 miles. Therefore Joe's legs were heavy, and it was remarkable to watch him grind the peddles up some enormous hills in Cornwall today and he seemed to be comfortable throughout.
We took a break at Aunty Sallys in Fraddon where a fantastic lunch spread was provided in her new house - Thankyou so much Sally, we are so grateful.XXX
At this stage Joe's cycling mate Jake joined the ride from Fraddon to Bissoe - which is the end of today's ride.
On arrival at Bissoe Cyle Hire the flags were flying. Family and friends were there to greet the arrival of the three of them. We had champagne and cake to celebrate kindly provided by Liz of Bissoe Cycle Hire - Thankyou Liz XX.
Tomorrow is our final day with a late departure (10:30am) from Bissoe Cycle Hire to the finish line at Lands End, a short distance of only 32 miles. We will be joined by friends from the cycle club who will accompany us to Lands End.
Regretably there are no further updates from the GPS (finger trouble!!)

DAY 10 UPDATE

Julie and Phil arrived at Bristol at 08:30am.

Jerry's bike was prepared and panniers removed. Joe and Phil set off for Oakhampton at 09:45am with Jerry and Julie following in the car. Surprise, surprise it rained for the tenth day running! They averaged 17mph for the first three hours, cycling through Somerset plains. We stopped for lunch in Taunton. There was a strong headwind throughout the day and the ride got harder and harder as the day progressed. The last 20 miles were extremely difficult. We arrived in Oakhampton at 7pm, checked into the B&B and went into town for dinner as all very hungry.

Tomorrow morning Joe and Phil will cycle from Oakhampton to Bissoe nr Truro.

At the first opportunity photos will be downloaded.

Thank you very much to everyone who has sent their best wishes to us.

DAY 9 UPDATE

We both had a very good overnight stay at The Mount B&B in Ludlow.

When we arrived on Wednesday night we were so tired, we ordered chinese take-away to be delivered. ~We were so hungry and looked forward to, but it was awful when it arrived.

We left Ludlow after breakfast on Thursday and cycled through Herriford, Monmouth, through the Wye Valley and onwards to Bristol. We took a wrong turn in Monmouth, which added an extra hour to our journey. During the ride through the Wye Valley Jerry's knee was of great cause for concern. We went over the old Seven Bridge, turned right into Avonmouth, through the industrial estate where there is more broken glass on the roads and pavements than in all the household recycling centres in the UK put together!. It was amazing we didn't get a puncture.

Progress was extremely slow in the day because of Jerry's knee. We asked directions to our B&B in a local pub, only to find out six miles later that they had sent us the wrong way, so having cycled 83 miles it was a great disappointment.

On arrival at the B&B at Bristol Jerry had decided that it was not possible to continue his ride the Lands End because of his right knee. We then made the decision to call Julie and it was decided that Julie and Phil would drive up early morning. Jerry would go in the car with Julie as support and Phil would ride with Joe for company. It was with great disappointment that we have to report that Jerry could no longer continue with the ride having got so far.

DAY 8 UPDATE

Woke up this morning, opened the curtains, guess what - it's raining!!!

We both had a very nice breakfast at our friend's house (Nicky and Shirley) and then we off loaded all our unnecessary luggage to reduce the weight in the panniers.

We set off at 09:00am, heading South to our final destination of Ludlow.

After only half a mile of cycling Jerry's right knee was screaming out in pain. At this point the thought of hiring a car crossed his mind and to let Joe continue solo with Jerry as a support driver. No amount of Ibobrufen and Paracetamol was going to lessen the pain. Very close to Crewe we passed a large NHS building which looked like a hospital. Jerry shouted to Joe that he was going to go in and ask for help with his knee. The receptionist very kindly explained that this was the North Cheshire Vinereal Disease Clinic - OOOPPPPS! and as such was not able to offer any assistant to the knee area at least. She did give us directions to the A&E department half a mile down the road. We took a detour to the A&E Dept. in the hope that they were not busy and may be able to offer help. Luckily the wait was only 15 mins. and he was seen by an ex-doctor of the Scottish Football Team - so he knew what he was dealing with in knee injuries. After an examination he prescribed the strongest painkillers known to man! We then had to cycle three miles to the pharmacy. Four hours after taking the tablets the pain had not decreased. The good news is that as I am sat in Ludlow eating my chinese take-away I have no feeling in my legs at all!

It eventually stopped raining just after mid-day and Joe was leaving Jerry way behind. The views as we travelled through the valley from Shrewsbury to Ludlow were amazing.

We covered 76 miles today. The GPS data will be uploaded as soon as have access to internet.

Tomorrow (Thursday) we plan to depart Ludlow for Bristol, estimated mileage is 80.

Day 7 Update

Our bedroom used as a drying room - nice tiy room (not).... Joe 2, Jerry Nil

Joe will inflate the tyre using the hose that disappears between his legs...

We had a hearty breakfast in the B&B at Morecambe, which was on the sea front with a fantastic view to the south of the Lake District. Surprise Surprise - it was raining, dull and cold. We loaded the bikes up, put on all our winter clothing and set-off heading south for Northwich (15 miles south east of Warrington). We followed a cycle track to Lancaster and Jerry's right knee was very painful. With each revolution of the pedal it was like someone poking a red hot poker in behind the knee cap. By the time we had cycled outside Lancaster, the pain was intense. It was not until about 16 miles further down the road that the pain barrier was broken - but how long would it last? Not long enough. we stopped at Preston for a sarny and a cup of tea, then continued through Euxton,Standish,Wigan,Newtown-Le-Willows, and Warrington. The traffic at the major intersections was something we never experience in Cornwall, they were scary. The rain did stop after lunch and we saw the sunshine for 17 minutes which made a huge change. Cycling along an A-Road to the southeast of Warrington we passed at least 5 very large road signs saying"52 Casualties in the Last 3 Years". This was obviously a dangerous stretch of road, but did not stop man in white van overtake us on a very sharp right hand bend with combine harvester travelling in opposite direction. We arrived at our friends house at 18:00, having covered only 65 miles. Joe was desperate to race ahead but Dad kept him back as his pace was only just faster than walking pace when climbing up the most shallowest hills........Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Quess What? - Joe had his 2nd Puncture, so that is Joe 2, Jerry Nil.

Day 6 Half Way Update

We had a good nights sleep in Carlisle at the Warick House. The owners looked after us very well. At breakfast this morning we got a £10donation from some very nice people from Gloucester, thanks, make it all worthwhile. We had a slightly later departure tan lanned as Joe feel asleep afterI woke him up. He had a single room to himself, so I guess that comes with the territory!! We lef Carlisle at 10 am and headed for Morcambe, 67 ileso he souh. My right knee was screaming out for less activity, but as my left knee was shot, there was not much I could do other than pop big pink Ibrufen tblets and paracetomol, and think of better things. It was a hard day - eve a gentle incline in a low gear was very painful. We met Blind Dave - a man who has ran 7 marathons, in 7 days on 7 continents - what an achievement.Next year he is planning to run a marathon each day and cycle (on a tandam) for 120miles each day from John O Groats to Lands End - what a guy, an inspiration to us all. More ics tomorrow, its getting late now. We have 65 miles tmorrow to Northwich in Cheshire where we are staying at Nicky and Shirley's - looking forward to a hot soak in the tub as this B&B only has a shower!!

Photos

Deserted road and cycle path between Glasgow & Carlisle

More rain cloudsNot more Cyclists taking my picture!!

Seen it - The Monster

Mum can you pick me up- Dad is doing my head-in!!!!!!

Tea and cake with our fan club in Drumnadrockit (still cant spell it!!)

Points out of 10 for the pic?? Fort Augustus outside our B&B

MADE-IT ENGLAND (need to spend those Scottish tenners!!)

Tired - need my bed

Glad we are not down there!

Just love Malt Loaf xx

Joe 1, Jerry Nil

day 5 update

last nite stayed at a hotel called Rissons in Strathaven , south east of Glasgow. Started the day at 9 am and got a mile down the road and joe had to turn around and go back to the hotel to use their track pump because he had a tire buldge, because of the puncture he got yesterday in Glasgow.
The weather was very good today we had a tail wind all day it stayed dry, only had one rain shower for 10 minites. Went into a truck stop on the old A74, where there was the tail-end of a bikers convention. A couple of the older bikers showed some interest in what we where doing - one of the grumpy was heard to mutter"You must be off your ******* heads"!!!! We both enjoyed the downhill descent which went on for miles - what a change to be able to free-wheel. The old A74 runs parrallel with the motorway, and is all but deserted of vehicles. At 3pm, having completed 55 miles, we were both starving and were lucky to find a 2nd truck stop. The food was great, we ate loads and even managed to buy a huge slice of homemade Ginger cake for later on in the afternoon.
Towards the latter part of the afternoon both of us where feeling pretty well done-in. With a further 10 miles to Carlisle it was a case of digging deep into the reserves. We finally arrived into Carlisle, found the B&B, and what a bonus I found - my room has a bath - first one since leaving Cornwall last Monday (I have had a shower since then!!!) Photos to follow....

Catch-up time - photos - what you have all been waiting for.

cold ,wet, tired and 17 miles to go

water fall on the climb up glencoe

the view down the valley towards glencoe village

the Commondo Memorial at Spean Bridge

happy chappy

wet cold grummpy

ohh the sun has come out not for long, loch ness

onwards towards Fort augustus

Golspie inn end of first day